“Dripfeed” NEWSLETTER OF THE BANKS PENINSULA BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF New Zealand (INC) VOLUME 42, No 5 june, 2019 Editor: Michael Williams 10 Selwyn Parade Lyttelton Ph 328 8043, email mimiandmichael@yahoo.co.nz
Chairman: Secretary:
Club Officers: Craig Keenan 322 1006 Ron Hasell 942 1105
Branch Address: 27 Showgate Ave, ChCh 8042 E-mail: bankspeninsula@vcc.org.nz Noggin & Natter: 2nd Thursday of the Month • •
Noggin 7.30 pm at the Papanui RSA. Upham Room – enter either from 55 Bellvue Ave or the first entrance on the left on Harewood Road (Papanui / Main North Road) Thursday 13th of June We look forward to seeing you there. Supper is provided.
From the Editor: Like many of you, I am still thawing out from the first snow covered Irishman Creek rally in many years. Ron Hasell remembers the 1959 event, when there was about 3 feet of snow, right up to the headlights of his 3 litre. The participants had to be dragged out of the Burkes Pass pub so they could get to Irishman Creek before the road became impassable. Only the tops of the road markers were visible, so as Ron said, “You aimed for the middle and hoped for the best!” Stirring stuff.. On many levels, the 2019 event was a great success, with 176 entries, the largest entry ever. 72 were Model A’s, so it was certainly quantity not quality, although there were three Rolls Royces. The snow limited the Saturday run, as there was too much snow to allow any off road driving, and some of the fords were too deep to be crossed. The same applied to the Sunday run, although Shands Patch was able to be held as normal. There were more North Island entries than before, and it was pleasing to see that the national president Diane Quarrie, and the North Island club captain Kaaren Smylie, had made the effort to attend. They both spoke about a North Island version of Irishman, to be based in Taihape. One of the ideas was to relieve the pressure of numbers on the Canterbury event, and hold it at the same time, but it seems to clash with another North Island club event, so the date is yet to be finalised. Whatever the date, it’s a worthy idea that deserves support, because Irishman in its current format has become too big. While many other VCC events have declining numbers, Irishman has flourished
to the extent that it’s become a procession. With such numbers to cater for, both in lunch and re fuelling terms, it’s difficult for organisers to do anything else other than organise a pleasant run around the back roads of South Canterbury, which is what the snow forced this year’s event to be. And of course not all winners and runners up have the necessary skills needed to organise what has become a very complex undertaking. The sub committee that the Canterbury branch set up to help the organisers is a good idea, and they do help considerably, but don’t want to interfere too much because it becomes a committee run event. But perhaps it needs to be run by many rather than by two. Other people feel that the event needs to be more challenging and difficult. This year lots of cars chose not to go through the fords, and went over a bridge or took the alternative route. That is not what Irishman is about, so a more demanding event might well lower the numbers. Others talked of a ballot system, or a cut off number of 100, on a first in first served basis. Some tactless people suggested that Model A’s be banned, and others went even further, and suggested the ban apply to Austin 7’s as well. I couldn’t possibly comment.
Too much wheel spin
The winner was Vaughan Morrison of our branch, with Harry Opwood from Canterbury the runner up. Both seemed remarkably unfazed and have already discussed the 2020 event, which they want be quite different from the last few years, with lots more driving, especially on the Sunday. Although Shands Patch is a fine old tradition, less than half of the entrants attend, and only about 30 cars compete. I’ve organised it for some years, and while it’s a lot of fun to watch, I’ve always felt the time should be used for driving rather than sitting round in your motel or a paddock. Spur Road
Mike Crehan, Monagesque ambassador and generally sophisticated man about Mapua has offered to be the BP branch delegate to national Executive meetings. Given that he was nominated by Tony Haycock and seconded by John Newall, one ought to be suspicious, but we must suppose that Mike’s motives are as pure as the driven snow. In a previous life Mike was a very successful barrister in one of the more arcane branches of the law while living in the U.K., so I’m sure he will bring his best
courtroom tactics to future Executive meetings. We look forward to his future reports, and thank him for his zeal and enthusiasm.
Coming Events. The Rosco Trial, Reefton, 16th of June. This is the West Coast version of Balcairn, only lots wetter and muddier. Don’t take your gumboots, take your thigh waders for a day of fun. Those that have competed or just watched reckon it’s brilliant and very different from Balcairn. Stay at the old Nurses Hostel ( interpret that any way you like) on Saturday night. For further details contact Nick Harrison at annetteandnick@xtra.co.nz ph 0275419296.
Night Trial, Saturday 22nd of June. Note the change of date from the 15th. To be set by the not usually devious Michael Pidgeon. It’s been suggested that we use the same trial as last year, as there was such thick fog that none of us had a clue where we were or where we had been, so to do it again on a clear night would save Michael a lot of trouble. Let’s hope that Vaughan Morrison and Morris Wright have all their lights working this year. Bring a torch. Starting point will be
Mid- Year Dinner and 50 and 60 year awards, Friday, 12th of July, Tai Tapu Hotel. Do come along to this event and join us in honouring some of the senior statesmen of our branch. Gavin Bain, Clive Dodds and Allan Meredith will receive their 60 year awards, and Garry Moore, Len Rickard and Derek Upton will receive their 50 year awards. Garry has promised to limit his speech to 30 minutes. These awards dinners are always very cheerful and often hilarious affairs, so come along and share in the mirth. It’s a 6.30pm start with meal orders at 7.00pm. You get entree, main and dessert, all for $35 thanks to a branch subsidy. Please let Ron know if you are attending by 7th of July, and if paying by internet banking the a/c is 031355 0611198 00. Please include your name.
The Balcairn Trial, Sunday 21st of July. One of our most popular events that always draws a good crowd of hecklers so put it in your diary. Hopefully there will be some more rain before then so that the course that will test the mettle of man, woman and machine as they strive for yet another of our prestigious trophies, The Old Boot. Can someone beat the Mauger/ Hyde domination of the top two places?
Past Events: Hadstock Driving Tests. “Oh frabjous day, callooh callay, he chortled in his joy” The reason for the Lewis Caroll. quote, which I’m sure you all recognised, is to celebrate the fact that that rare commodity, Youth, returned to Hadstock, in a splendid array of vehicles. An almost record entry of 24 drivers, fabulous weather, and new members combined to create a splendid day of motoring at the Chamberlain family seat of
Hadstock, near Leeston. And Amanda and Phipps Rinaldo lent the whole day a touch of much needed class by arriving to spectate in their gorgeous Iso Grifo, one of the great Italian supercars. Harry Dawber was in a mercifully rare Toyota Crown manual, with very fetching rust , Evan Kear was in the family Austin7, with new member Zac Knapp in the other one. Fraser Kear was in his VW Golf. Tim Fox was in the multi coloured Model A, Courtney Chamberlain was in her trusty Austin 12/4. Whetu Pikari, who had competed in the Monte Carlo with his grandfather was in the very original family Morris Minor, which he treated with more respect than it really deserves. So, not a bad list of youth. The rest of the field were the usual group of insanely competitive suspects, but it was great to see new participants Ross Butler in an MGC, and Don Gerard in an MGB out for the first time. Anyone that tries to heave an overweight MGC round a paddock deserves respect. James Robinson and Mike Pentecost were there in their respective hot Minis, dodgy headlight bulbs glinting in the autumn sun, and ready to do battle with Andre’s finest. Hadstock is usually a battle between Avon Hyde and Brad Govan, both Austin mounted, with the rest of the field battling for the minor placings. Avon always drives with huge skill and restraint, Brad always drives with huge noise, smoke and high drama, and inevitably goes sideways through the finishing cones with everything all locked up, including his teeth. He usually recovers for the second run, and is always a crowd favourite, throwing out equal quantities of blue smoke and mud. Avon won the first event, the slalom, with James Robinson in the Mini Cooper S a mere .7 of a second behind, and Brad 3rd. Stu Moore, the master of the handbrake turn in his MG TF had an excellent time as did the other Mini, with works driver Jason Roberts in the A7 looking threatening. Fraser Kear in his VW Golf worked hard at his handbrake turns and once he realises that you aren’t meant to stop at the end of the exercise, he can only improve, as he was beaten by Tim Fox in the Model A. The second event was a cambelt sort of a thing and yet again Avon Hyde gave us all a lesson in driving, although he was only .5 of a second ahead of the editorial Citroen, with Brad Govan another half second behind. John Foster, on a rare Triumph 500 twin sort of scrambler, was doing excellent times, so the organisers made a quick and completely democratic decision to put him in a category of his own, as he was in danger of beating far too many of them. Harry Dawber in the rusty Crown and Don Gerard in the hot MGB proved that 360degree spins don’t help results, and Craig Keenan and John Chamberalin, both in Jags, proved that controlled power is very effective on grass. The battle between Courtney Chamberlain in her real vintage car, the Austin 12/4 and Tim Fox in another real vintage car, the family Model A, had gained intensity, as both youthful drivers showed commendable skill. Event three, yet another version of a cambelt/cloverleaf sort of thing, was interesting, and shock horror gasp, Avon Hyde was relegated to third, although only by .6 of a second. Brad Govan, in Old Smokey, and Michael Williams in his Citroen D Super managed to come first equal, with Stu Moore, MG TF and James Robinson , Mini Cooper S, snapping at their heels. The other Mini Cooper of Mike Pentecost had retired at this stage, probably because the illegal headlight bulbs destroyed the Prince of Darkness electrics. After Neale Elder in his 1932 Morris Minor beat Ross Butler in the MGC, Ross was heard to complain about the timing systems, rather than the ability of the MGC to wallow like a whale at the site of a cone. The Model A continued to draw ahead of the Austin 12/4, and Courtney was urged to release her inner hoon. John Foster continued to impress on the Triumph, both with his riding skill and the glorious noise coming out of the unmuffled pipes. Going into event four, an even longer cambelt thing, times were very even amongst the leading contenders. James Robinson in the Mini Cooper S nailed this superbly, fractions of a second behind Avon Hyde, with Old Smokey and the MGTF close behind. The 1960 Morris Minor beat the MGC this
time and the Austin 12/4 beat the Model A, and Pat O’Connell in his MGA fell victim to the 360 degree spin. He blamed too much power. The two Jag drivers disproved this theory by having excellent times, considering their size and weight., (the cars that is). So as the day drew to a close, the A7 hotrods were loaded onto their trailers, and the factory cars drove to the local watering hole to hear the results. Almost inevitably, Avon Hyde won by 3 seconds from Brad Govan, both in their very effective A7 Specials. Michael Williams, in his Citroen D Super proved that FWD and hydropneumatic suspension is great on grass, and was third , point one of a second ahead of James Robinson in his Mini Cooper S, and then Stu Moore in his standard (yeah right) MG TF. Ross Butler in the MGC managed to beat the Neale Elder 1932 Morris Minor by two seconds, and was heard to mutter that he might bring a lighter car next year. Brad Govan won the Ross Haynes trophy for the best performing Austin 7, an oxymoron if ever I heard one, and Cindy Chamberlain presented the tasteful, but somewhat battered trophy, The Cindy, to Avon Hyde, thus concluding a great day in the country.
Mini Cooper trying hard
Triumph Metisse
The number plate says it all.
CARS
Name Neale Elder
Car Morris Minor
Jason Roberts
A7
Brad Govan
A7
Avon Hyde Michael Williams
Austin
Brian Smith
Morris 8
Pat O'Connell Harry Dawber
MG A Toyota Crown
Fraser Kear
VW Golf
Zac Knapp
A7
Evan Kear
A7
Alex McNicoll James Robinson Mike Pentecost
A7
Mini
Stu Moore
MG TF
Don Gerrard
MG B
Craig Keenan Whetu Pikari
Jaguar Morris Minor
Tim Fox Courtney Chamberlain John Chamberlain
Model A Austin 12/4 Jaguar XK120
Thomas
Model A
Ross Butler
MG C
CitroĂŤn
Mini
1 53 .0 48 .0 52 .8 51 .0 48 .3 55 .7 55 .6 54 .3 58 .0 57 .2 57 .8 50 .6 48 .0 48 .4 49 .2 58 .0 53 .9 67 .8 58 .5 61 .3 53 .7 62 .8 59 .5
1a 47 .3 46 .0 44 .0 47 .5 53 .0 51 .3 52 .2 60 .9 52 .6 50 .7 56 .0 45 .7 46 .9 48 .7 53 .4 51 .5 66 .0 57 .3 60 .2
Better Time 53.0 47.3 46.0 44.0 47.5 53.0 51.3 52.2 58.0 52.6 50.7 50.6 45.7
2 96. 9 83. 5 77. 5 72. 6 76. 0 85. 4 82. 5 86. 5 97. 5 84. 0 88. 2 88. 4 77. 4
46.9 48.7 53.4 51.5 66.0 57.3 60.2 53.7 62.8 59.5
84. 6 82. 5 10 2.5 82. 9 88. 6 74. 7 91 90. 3
2a 72 .6 70 .1 69 .3 69 .8 82 .0 74 .2 86 .3 76 .8 77 .5 80 .0 78 .0 72 .8 76 .0 76 .7 86 .4 73 .1 99 .0
TESTS Better Time 3 52 96.9 .4 47 72.6 .2 70.1 69.3 69.8 82.0 74.2 86.3 76.8 77.5 80.0 78.0 72.8 76.0 76.7 84.6 73.1 99.0 82.9
92
88.6
45 .9 46 .2 53 .3 51 .1 52 .6 52 .2 49 .8 51 .6 49 .9 46 .3 47 .5 48 .2 60 .1 56 .1 59 .6
74.7 59
59.0 90.3
54 .1
3a 47 .3 45 .0 45 .6 45 .0 50 .5 49 .5 50 .8 49 .9 48 .5
Better Time 52.4 47.2 45.0 45.6 45.0 50.5 49.5 50.8 49.9 48.5
4 64 .5 58 .6 54 .8 54 .7 56 .1 67 .0 66 .2 60 .1 61 .5 61 .3
4a
55 .5
53 .7
58 .3 62 .4 59 .5 71 .0 75 .5 71 .7
55 .5 58 .7 56 .2 61 .7 71 .9
56 .5 54 .4 53 .3 60 .0 60 .5 61 .8 61 .4
Better Time
61.3
Tot al 26 6.8 22 3.6 21 5.5 21 2.2 21 8.4 24 5.5 24 1.2 24 9.4 24 6.2 23 9.9
53.7
21 8.5
64.5 56.5 54.4 53.3 56.1 60.0 66.2 60.1 61.5
Ra nk
15 5 2 1 3 11 9 13 12 8
51.6 48 .0 46 .8 48 .3 48 .9 55 .1
49.9 46.3
46.8 48.3 48.2 55.1
55
55.0
61
59.6
68 .5 52 .8
68.5 52.8
62
76 57 .6 61 .9
55.5 58.7 56.2 61.7 71.9 71.7
22 7.7 24 5.0 22 9.0 28 1.8 26 7.1 28 0.1
4
6 10 7 18 16 17
57.6
61.9
26 4.5
14
MOTORCYCLES
Name John Foster
Motorcy cle Triumph
1 40 .0
1a 38 .8
Better Time
Does my bum look big in this?
Beauty and the beasts
38.8
2 80. 3
2a
TESTS Better Time 3 47 80.3 .0
3a 45 .0
Better Time 45.0
4 54 .0
4a
Better Time 54.0
Tot al 21 8.1
Ra nk 1
How much is that doggy in the window?
The old master at work.